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Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Christiansted

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1978 at 0939 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N74676
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Christiansted - Christiansted
MSN:
1172
YOM:
1942
Location:
Christiansted
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8943
Captain / Total hours on type:
443.00
Circumstances:
The seaplane was engaged in a test flight out from Christiansted on behalf of the FAA. While flying off Christiansted, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to ditch the aircraft few miles offshore. All three occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Ditching following a double engine failure after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiens in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Attempted operation beyond experience/ability level,
- Failure of both engines,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- 25 rpm flux reported on left engine previous three days of flight,
- 200 rpm during climbout and continued flight.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Saint Thomas: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1978 at 1021 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N7777V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Christiansted – Charlotte Amalie
MSN:
B111
YOM:
1945
Location:
Saint Thomas
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
42005
Captain / Total hours on type:
5233.00
Circumstances:
En route from Christiansted to Charlotte Amalie, while in cruising altitude, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted to ditch the aircraft off St Thomas Island when the seaplane crashed into the sea. Three passengers and the pilot, Cpt Charles Blair (69), owner of the company, were killed. Seven other occupants were injured. The aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight due to improper maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to engine structure: cylinder assembly,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Improper in-flight decisions or planning,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Inadequate supervision of flight crew,
- Deficiency, company maintained equipment, services, regulation,
- Rules, regulations, standards personnel,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- STC approved flight at 8,750 lbs mass gross weight,
- Test indicate mass gross weight 8,150 lbs.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Charlotte Amalie

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1978 at 1435 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N323
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie - Christiansted
MSN:
1189
YOM:
1942
Location:
Charlotte Amalie-Cyril E. King (ex Harry S. Truman)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11500
Captain / Total hours on type:
2733.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Charlotte Amalie, while climbing, the left engine failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft that struck rocks and came to rest by the shore. All 11 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and subsequent uncontrolled collision with water due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel system: ram air assembly,
- Material failure,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Poor/inadequate design,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Carburetor airbox hot air to cold air valve linkage retaining bolt failed causing air starvation.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Red Hook: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1978 at 1645 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N8777A
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Saint John - Christiansted
MSN:
1152
YOM:
1942
Flight number:
415
Location:
Red Hook
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
14154
Captain / Total hours on type:
5697.00
Circumstances:
Several minutes after departure from St John on flight 415 to Christiansted, both engines stopped quite simultaneously. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the aircraft. The amphibian landed in heavy sea conditions two miles northeast of Frenchmans Cap, approximately four miles southeast of Red Hook, on the east coast of St Thomas Island. All seven passengers were rescued while both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
The double engine failure was the consequence of a crew error after the fuel selector was positioned between both fuel tanks.

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Christiansted: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1976 at 1633 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N4772C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie - Christiansted
MSN:
B131
YOM:
1945
Location:
Christiansted
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
13628
Captain / Total hours on type:
3048.00
Circumstances:
En route from Charlotte Amalie to Christiansted, the right engine failed. The pilot feathered the propeller and later attempted an emergency landing when the seaplane crashed into the Caribbean Sea off St Croix Island. The airplane sank and was not recovered. Five passengers were drowned while five other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Rough water,
- Unscheduled feather right propeller undetermined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-21A Goose off Culebra Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 18, 1971 at 1605 LT
Type of aircraft:
Grumman G-21A Goose
Operator:
Registration:
N703A
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie – Fajardo
MSN:
B081
YOM:
1944
Location:
Culebra Island
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5582
Captain / Total hours on type:
3000.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast of Culebra Island on a flight from Charlotte Amalie to Fajardo, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted to ditch the airplane that struck the water surface, crashed few dozen yards offshore and sank rapidly. Nine occupants were injured, five of them seriously while two passengers were killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Stewart-Davis PBY-5A Super Catalina in Christiansted

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1970 at 0803 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
N5584V
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Charlotte Amalie – Christiansted
MSN:
1846
YOM:
1944
Location:
Christiansted-Henry E. Rohlsen (ex Alexander Hamilton)
All US Virgin Islands
Country:
US Virgin Islands
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching the seaplane base of Christiansted, the crew suspected technical problems with the undercarriage and decided to divert to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport. Upon touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the seaplane came to rest. While both pilots were uninjured, the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear upon landing due to the failure of the upper end hydraulic actuator. The following factors were reported:
- Landing gear failure,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Corrosion,
- Improper maintenance of the aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Precautionary landing on airport following a suspected mechanical discrepancy,
- Gear overdue 1,700 hours overhaul by 801 hours.
Final Report:
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